The group of 11, including nine children, were to fly to LA from Gatwick when US officials stopped them in the departure lounge.

A British Muslim man who was stopped with his family at Gatwick airport and prevented from flying to California has said they felt “humiliated and alienated”.

The group of 11, including nine children, was about to travel to Los Angeles on a dream holiday last Tuesday when they were approached by US Homeland Security officials in the departure lounge.

Officials told Mohammad Tariq Mahmood and his party, which included his brother and nine of their children aged between eight and 19, that their authorisation to travel on the flight had been cancelled without further explanation.

Mr Mahmood told Sky News an official said there was a problem with their entry visas (ESTAs) for the US and that they were not allowed to board the plane.read more